Google comes with method for embedding virtual reality in websites and apps

Google comes up with a method to embed photos and videos in virtual reality on websites and apps. On websites this is done via an iframe, in apps via the Cardboard SDK, which was released for iOS on Wednesday.

The VR content in the browser allows users to look around in virtual reality by swiping the screen or with mouse clicks, while smartphone users can use Cardboard glasses, Google says. Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge, and Safari all support the method. On smartphones, iOS 8 or higher is required for iPhones and version 4.4 or higher for Android devices.

VR footage must be saved in equirect-pano format. Google recommends jpg for photos, although png and gif also work. Videos must be MP4s with h264 encoding. The technology works through Cardboard’s SDKs on Android and iOS, by adding a few lines of code. At the same time, Google is presenting a Cardboard SDK for iOS.

Viewing the footage in apps on smartphones works via Cardboard-compatible VR glasses. Google presented the first Cardboard two years ago at its developer conference I/O and many variants are now available.